Comparative study of the pneumatization of the mastoid air cells and paranasal sinuses using three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scans.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pneumatization of mastoid air cells and PNS using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) scans of the PNS.

METHODS

A retrospective review of PNS CT scans from 60 cases was performed. Patients with evidence of sinusitis or mastoiditis, or a history of head trauma, were excluded from the study. Volumes were measured using 3D reconstruction based on axial images of 1 mm thickness. Volumes of the mastoid air cells (right and left), frontal sinus, sphenoid sinus, and maxillary sinuses (right and left) were obtained and compared using statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The volume of mastoid air cells and sinuses did change with age, but the volumes of male subjects were larger than those of females. There was a positive correlation between the pneumatization of mastoid air cells and that of the sphenoid sinus; however, no relationship was observed between the volume of mastoid air cells and that of the maxillary sinuses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study examined whether a similarity in pneumatization exists between the mastoid air cells and PNS of individuals; these results may be useful in understanding the normal and pathological conditions of both structures.